Rushan holds int'l forum to boost oyster industry

In an attempt to boost China's oyster industry up to a level of global competitiveness, the first China (Rushan) International Oyster Forum was held from April 21-23 in Rushan, Shandong province in eastern China.

Mayor of Rushan Gong Bengao speaks at the opening ceremony of the first China (Rushan) International Oyster Forum on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Rushan, Shandong province in eastern China. [Photo by Zhou Jing/China.org.cn]

The three-day event gathered more than 200 experts and entrepreneurs from home and abroad, including marine life scholars from Australia, Britain, France, South Korea and the United States.

Focusing on the sustainable development and food security of the oyster industry, the forum provided open seminars for academic discussions and technology consultation.

At the opening ceremony, Mayor of Rushan Gong Bengao said the local government is determined to build the county-level city into a leading oyster technology research and development center through the forum and with the joint efforts of international experts, entrepreneurs and local people.

Rushan is within a one-hour drive from the coastal cities of Qingdao, Weihai and Yantai in Shandong province. With 199 kilometers of coast, the city produces oysters of high quality and therefore is dubbed as one of the best areas for oyster production in China, said the mayor. With an annual output of 300,000 tons of oysters from more than 5,000 hectares of oyster farms, the city's products sell well at home and abroad.

The China (Rushan) Institute of Oyster Technology was also inaugurated at the forum's opening ceremony.

In an attempt to boost China’s oyster industry up to a level of global competitiveness, the first China (Rushan) International Oyster Forum was held from April 21-23 in Rushan, Shandong province in eastern China.